I was reflecting earlier on how we preach in lockdown - and indeed “do” church worship.

I was thinking that pre-lockdown there are (in essence) two types of preaching:

1 - Preaching as Lecture. The preacher has points to communicate, a lesson to teach. Often static from a lectern, podium or a legilium. Congregation sits and listens, makes notes.

Sometimes we enter seminar mode and consult with those around us.

2 - Preaching as Theatre. The preacher makes use of props, performance techniques, physical space to communicate their message. It may be more poetic and playful. It may be a sketch!

Sometimes the congregation is drawn in - immersive theatre.

Naturally this is a spectrum. Preachers both high church and low will resonate between the two most of the time.

Indeed, they speak to one another as disciplines. They both inhabit the “live space” to hold the attention of those in the room.

With the rise of the Internet and YouTube, we can become used to watching online.

Ted Talks for example. We sit and watch a live performance on a stage recorded and on our screens.

That is how we have been introduced to sermons online too.

When someone recommends a sermon, we go and watch the recording of it happening live.

And that’s amazing BUT it’s also a diluted version of the live experience. It’s excellent to have access to great material from around the world but it’s still a shadow of the “real thing”

Since lockdown and online church became mainstream this year, how has our preaching been challenged or changed?

What are our influences?

That’s the question I’ve been pondering

The Preacher:

Certainly the typical method I have seen is a “Direct To Camera” model. Instead of standing in a pulpit, we sit in front of our computers. Perhaps live. Maybe pre-recorded.

It takes what we know and it applies it to tech.

I have an arts background and have tried to use the camera creatively: taking the congregation on a tour of my house at Easter, sitting in my garden and using it to preach on the parable of the seeds, using the camera to ‘catch me’ on the phone to God.

I have the tech and the creative mind to play and make this work effectively.

But what are our influences? Online worship is (I hope) here to stay in some form.

Preaching as TV
I’ve seen a church whose online set up is reminiscent of a breakfast show with presenters and cutaways to sung worship.

Here the sermon becomes the “feature” section. Pre-recorded documentary style. An expert in the field speaking to camera with footage.

But it needn’t be so documentary-inspired.

TV gives sketch comedy as well. What might we learn about on-screen preaching from Morecambe and Wise, or French and Saunders?

Kids TV and presenters and puppets offer a wealth of insight. How do they communicate and tell stories?

Preaching as YouTuber
The rise of influencers on YouTube over the last decade or so should be an inspiration. Direct to camera often from a desk, but with great attention to the background, production values, and the ‘character’ of the individual.

There is something ‘missional’ at work there - it’s all about popularity and gaining followers. Do well enough and it’s your full time monetised job!

And let’s not forget Film and Online Interactive Media. They open up insight and challenge too.

And these are all inspired by those live performances from Theatre and Lecture, applying those lessons to new media.

Ay but here’s the rub.

A sermon is by and large a solo thing.
The preacher who studies is the preacher who writes is the preacher who delivers the sermon.

We are self-reliant (and Spirit-reliant).

But film and tv and even YouTubers usually require a whole production team.

And those who don’t need have a team need to know how to film, record, transfer, edit, upload, share... and all the best practises that go with each...

It’s a lot for one person to do, and trying to coordinate a team week in week out for a short section of the service takes a lot of energy that most ministers just don’t have on top of *waves around* everything else.

And of course all that I’ve been talking about here regarding preaching is applicable and worth consideration for the whole of church worship.

What are our influences? How do best use and transform them for God?

I’m running out of energy and out of thoughts and I have no conclusion, but...

Preachers: thank you for all you’ve done this pandemic, and keep doing what you’re doing. It’s brilliant.

One of my Young Disciples said that she’s found herself able to focus more on the sermons during lockdown.

Perhaps she’s used to watching people talk to a screen. Maybe its easier when you’re in the comfort of your own home. Less distractions than in a church of people + stuff.

So keep doing what you’re doing as best as you can. God bless you in your ministries. And thank you for coming to my Twitter thread.

(Hello to those of you who made it to the end )